Benefits of Client Server Computing
A client-server network is an internet network where one main computer serves as a server and controls many other computers known as clients. By connecting to the server, clients can access shared files and data stored on the serving machine. In addition, client-server networks are conceptually comparable to peer-to-peer networks, except that only the server may start a transaction.
The client-server model explains how a server grants one or more clients access to resources and services. Examples of servers include mail servers, web servers, and file servers. Client devices have access to the resources on each server, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices. One server can provide resources to numerous clients simultaneously because clients and servers frequently have a one-to-many connection.
A server can accept or deny a client's request for a connection when the client makes the request. If the connection is approved, the server creates and maintains a connection with the client that is particular to the protocol. For instance, an email client could require a program on the mail server to ask for authentication data, such as the email address and password. If the login information matches an existing account on the mail server, the server will send the email to the intended recipient.
In online multiplayer games, the client-server architecture is also utilized. For example, the Battle.net service from Blizzard offers online gaming for its other titles and World of Warcraft, StarCraft, and Overwatch. When users run a Blizzard program, the gaming client automatically establishes a connection to a Battle.net server. After signing up for Battle.net, users may see who else is online, interact with other users, and play games with or against them.
Even though Internet servers may connect several clients simultaneously, each physical system can only handle so much traffic. Because of this, well-known online services spread their users across several physical servers using distributed computing. Most of the time, it makes no difference which computer users connect to because all servers provide the same service.
Although a client-server network is most frequently utilized across numerous sites, it may be constructed on a single computer system. Thanks to this technology, several computers or people may now converse and exchange information. As businesses expand and individuals collaborate across great distances, a client-server paradigm allows users to access a common or shared database or application. The same thing happens when people use the internet to check their bank accounts or pay their bills. Users submit their requests to the bank's server, which sends the data to the users.
The centralized client-server approach's centralized nature makes it easier to protect data with access restrictions imposed by security regulations, which is a significant advantage. Additionally, it is irrelevant if the clients and server use the same operating system because client-server protocols share data independent of the platform.
The client-server system has a significant drawback: if too many clients request data from the server at once, the server may get overwhelmed. A denial of service might occur as a result of excessive requests in addition to causing network congestion.
What is a Client-Server Network?
- Clients access resources and services from a dedicated host over a local area network (LAN) or wide-area network (WAN), such as the Internet, in a client-server network. When a client request arrives, a dedicated server known as a daemon opens a network connection and keeps it open until the client request is fulfilled.
- The two forms of network traffic are client-to-server (north-south traffic) and server-to-server (east-west traffic). Popular network services include the World Wide Web, printing, data sharing, and email. Centralizing programs and data is one of the main benefits of client-server networks.
- Data transfer is facilitated and protected by a client-server network. Businesses seeking faster and more secure data transport may consider using the network.
What is the Process of a Client-Server Network?
- A dedicated computer is used in client-server networks to store data, manage resources, and regulate user access (server). By serving as a hub, the server links every other machine in the network. A client is a device that connects to the server. Client-server networks, which include a centralized server for network management, are typically favoured over peer-to-peer networks.
- The two forms of network traffic are client-to-server (north-south traffic) and server-to-server (east-west traffic). Popular network services include the World Wide Web, printing, data sharing, and e-mail. Centralizing programs and data is one of the main benefits of client-server networks.
- Data transfer is facilitated and protected by a client-server network. Businesses seeking faster and more secure data transport may consider using the network.
- A PC or other mobile device with network apps is frequently the hardware used by clients. The person on the other side of the computer requests the server across the internet. A huge quantity of data is stored in files, databases, and programs on the server, or data centre, which is located server-side.
- The client simultaneously transmits requests to the server, providing updates and pertinent answers to the queries. This is how the client-server network works.
- Network traffic may be heavy in client-server networks since many clients and servers exist. The server cuts the client off from the network to conserve bandwidth when the procedure is complete. As a result, the speed at which results are sent depends on the bandwidth efficiency of the client and server. The client-server architecture may be utilized online and in a local area network (LAN), such as a business or organization.
- Clients frequently use the TCP/IP protocol stack to connect to servers. As a connection-oriented protocol, TCP establishes and maintains a connection until the application programs have finished exchanging messages on both ends. It chooses how to partition application data into network packets for transmission transmits and receives packets from the network layer, manages flow control, retransmits dropped or garbled packets, and acknowledges all packets that arrive. In the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) communication architecture, Layer 4's Transport Layer and Layer 5's Session Layer both have components that TCP uses.
Benefits of a Client-Server Network
The client-server architecture design provides the following benefits:
- Centralization: Data security, user permission, and authentication management are significantly easier when all necessary data is stored on a single server. Any problem that develops throughout the whole network may be fixed in a single place.
- Scalability: A client-server network may grow with minimal downtime by adding more network segments, servers, and PCs. Scalable client-server networks are available. The user can increase the number of resources, such as clients and servers, as necessary. As a result, expanding the server's capacity won't cause any problems. Since the server is centralized, even if the size increases, there are no issues with access to network resources. Therefore, just a few staff members are required for the setups.
- Simple management: Effective data access does not need proximity between clients and the server. Handling them is quite easy because all of the files are saved on the same server. Client-server networks provide the best administration for monitoring and locating records of essential files.
- Accessibility: Because each node in a client-server system is independent and only requests data from the server, it is easy to update, replace, or relocate them.
- Data Security: A client-server network's centralized design ensures the data is appropriately protected. Access controls can be utilized to enforce it and guarantee that only authorized people are granted access. One such method is imposing credentials like a login and password. Furthermore, recovering the files from a single backup would be easy if the data were lost.
Drawbacks of a Client-Server Network
There are several drawbacks to client-server networks:
- Network traffic congestion: The fundamental drawback of a client-server architecture is the potential for system overload caused by a lack of resources to support all of the clients. The connection can be lost or slowed down if too many distinct clients attempt to connect to the shared network simultaneously. Any website or customer in the globe won't be able to access the information if the internet connection is unavailable. If large firms are unable to obtain crucial information, they may be in danger.
- High Cost: In client-server networks, the setup and upkeep of the server often cost more than the network's operation. Because of their power, the networks could be expensive to purchase. As a result, not all users will be able to afford them.
- Robustness: The entire network will be disrupted if the primary server encounters failure or interference. As a result of its centralization, client-server networks could be stronger in terms of resilience.
- Maintenance Challenge: The servers will operate continually after installation, necessitating the required maintenance. Any errors must be corrected immediately and without additional delay. As a result, the server has to be managed by an experienced network manager.
- Non-acquirable Resources: Not all of the server's resources are accessible for purchase. For instance, you cannot immediately print a web-based document or alter any data on the client's hard drive.